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Overview

Leaders eye leap towards quarters

(FIFA.com) Tuesday 22 April 2008

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The race for places in the knockout phase of the AFC
Champions League 2008 intensifies when Matchday 4 of 6 takes place
on Wednesday. And with only the group winners joining defending
champions Urawa Red Diamonds in the last eight, the forerunners can
ill afford to take their foot off the pedal.
FIFA.com looks ahead to the action.

Beijing go for brokeAn east-Asian meeting between Beijing Guoan and Kashima
Antlers will headline the round and could determine which team will
seize Group F's ticket to the next stage. The reigning J-League
champions edged their rivals 1-0 at home last time out to go three
points ahead of them at the summit, and a repeat result in the
Chinese capital would effectively seal their progression. Given
Kashima's vastly superior goal difference, Beijing need to go
for broke and beat their rivals by two clear goals to leave
themselves in pole position due to a better head-to-head
record.

A missed penalty from Tiago Jorge Honorio cost Beijing a point
in Japan, but they are confident they can find their finishing
touch this time around. "We created good chances against them
so a 2-0 win at home is nothing impossible," said Guoan
defender Yang Pu.

Guoan's attacking plan, however, does not concern Antlers
coach Oswaldo de Oliveira. "For a defensively strong team like
Guoan, they will very possibly leave holes at the back if they
focus too much on attacking," he said. "Then we will
certainly make the best advantage of their errors."

Gamba are a good team with a host of quality players, but our boys
will give it their all on Wednesday

Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat on his side's must-win game with Gamba Osaka

Another side facing a must-win game are Melbourne Victory, who
will play at Group G leaders Gamba Osaka. The Australians'
skipper, Kevin Muscat, is refusing to throw in the towel, despite
the fact that they are four points off the pace and one behind
second-placed Chonburi. "There is no doubt it is a massive
challenge for us.
," he vowed.

Adelaide United and Changchun Yatai are tied on seven points
atop of Group E, but it is the latter who face the tougher test - a
trip to Korean K-League champions Pohang Steelers, on three points
- on Matchday 4. "We bring an 18-player team who will show
they are warriors but not tourists," said Yatai coach Gao
Hongbo.

Adelaide will be expected to make light work of their Vietnamese
visitors Binh Duong, who are pointless at the foot.

Top-two clashesKuruvchi of Uzbekistan are the surprise pacesetters in Group
A, and they will look to make it nine points from a possible 12
against runners-up Syrians Al Ittihad, whose Saudi namesakes will
take to the field under the tutelage of Gabriel Calderon for the
first time. The Argentinian will strive to plot Sepahan's
downfall, and move his new side on to six points and into
qualification contention in the process.

Al Qadsia may sit three points clear of Pakhatakor in Group D -
and five in front of their forthcoming opponents - but Al Gharafa
are confident they can upset the Kuwaiti giants, especially with
Younis Mahmoud, who inspired Iraq to AFC Asian Cup 2007 glory,
leading their line. "
," said Al Gharafa captain
Saad Al Shammari, who has been ruled out by an ankle injury.